The new Princess of Wales, or the former Kate Middleton, wore an enviable accessory to her latest dinner party: the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a favorite of the late Princess Diana. The piece features teardrop pearls and plenty of diamonds. It’s very pretty and, one would imagine, kinda heavy.
The tiara was made, according to the , “by Royal jeweler Garrard in 1914 to Queen Mary’s personal design, from pearls and diamonds already in her family’s possession,” but it’s also “a copy of one owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse,” so, not entirely sure who designed it first, but anyway, it was eventually passed to Diana, who wore it on a number of occasions.
Kate brought out the sparkler for the first state dinner of her father-in-law King Charles III’s reign, attended by many members of the royal family and by Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa, and his delegation. On the menu, per the Mail, was “stuffed Windsor pheasant and grilled brill with wild mushrooms.” Better than beans on toast, but honestly. British food peaked with fish and chips.
Obviously, Princess Catherine didn’t just plop a famous tiara on top of an Old Navy jumpsuit. She wore an embellished white dress with a cape, a brooch bearing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and a regal blue sash. Her diamond and pearl earrings, pearl bracelet, and pearlescent clutch perfectly complement the heirloom.
This isn’t the first time Kate Middleton has worn the tiara; check out all the occasions she’s trotted it out for, plus anything and everything you could learn about a tiara here.
If you’re looking for the correct headpiece for your next state dinner (or prom or wedding or chill tea party with the gals or watching The Crown, which maybe should be called The Tiara), you can get a replica tiara for $44 here, for $94 here or for $112 here. Royal title not included.